LIHU'E, Hawai'i - The Colorado State men's golf team opened up its spring schedule on Wednesday at the John A. Burns Intercollegiate at the Wailua Golf Course, posting a top-10 showing in the opening round, with room to improve over the final two days of the 17-team tournament.

"We were really close to a good round today but made too many bogeys on the closing holes," said Head Coach Christian Newton. "Parker (Edens) had a very solid round. Overall this group is playing well enough for a great team finish."

Edens, a senior from Greeley, Colo., carded four birdies in his first 18 holes, leading the Rams and sitting in a tie for fifth at 2-under (70), six strokes off the pace set by tournament leader Erik Oja from Arizona.

"I'm just playing some really good solid golf right now," said Edens." I'm very happy with where I am, but this morning coach challenged me to just stay in the present, in the moment and not get caught up in mistakes. I did that very well, hit some great shots and was very patient. I'm very excited for the rest of the week. We're very close to playing great as a group."

Edens, who notched his fourth round below par on the season - and his third in four rounds dating back to the fall - maintained a steady approach throughout Wednesday, opening with his first birdie on the par-5 10th, and closing with his fourth birdie on the par-5 ninth hole.

Patrick Winther sits two strokes off Edens' pace after opening with a 1-over 73 to tie for 30th heading into Thursday's second round of action. The junior transfer in his first season as Colorado State opened his round with back-to-back birdies on 10 and 11, and also birdied the par-5 No. 1, but a double-bogey on 4 moved him to 2-over par for the round.

Freshman Jimmy Makloski and junior Cameron Harrell, the Rams' season leader in stroke average, rounded out the scoring for CSU with rounds of 74 (+2) and 76 (+6), respectively. Makloski sits in a tie for 40th, while Harrell is knotted with eight golfers for 67th.

Sophomore Dominic Kieffer finished one stroke behind Harrell in a tie for 75th after 18 holes, matching freshman Alec Bone, competing in the tournament - his first since September - as an individual.

CSU returns to the course for the second round of play on Thursday morning. The team is paired with BYU, Fresno State and Arizona for the second consecutive day, and will tee off of No. 1 between 11 a.m. MST/8 a.m. HAST and 11:40 a.m. MST/8:40 a.m. HAST.

"We start early off the front side tomorrow and will get to play the tougher holes before the wind kicks up," added Newton. "I expect good things the next two rounds."